In the name of Allāh and all praise is due to Allāh ﷻ, I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allāh having no partner and that Muḥammad (may the peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) is His slave and final Messenger.

O Allāh ﷻ send your peace and blessings upon Muḥammad and the family of Muḥammad, as you have sent your peace and blessings upon Ibrāhīm and the family of Ibrāhīm, indeed you are praiseworthy and most glorious.

To follow, the most truthful of speech is the Book of Allāh ﷻ, and the best of guidance is the guidance of Muḥammad ﷺ. The worst of affairs are the newly invented matters, and every newly invented matter is a bidʿah; every bidʿah is misguidance, and every misguidance is in the Fire of Hell.

Firstly, I ask Allāh for you and myself that he grants us success and guidance, and I would like to advise you with regards to your current state of living.

I advise you and I, with the fear of Allāh and the fear of Allāh ﷺ is upon the heart, tongue, limbs, knowledge and actions. So fear Allāh and seek beneficial knowledge and follow it (the knowledge) with righteous actions.

Know that there is no flag, nor slogan, nor personality (to follow or to hold onto) except the creed of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jamāʿah. So seek it and become familiar with it first and foremost, for indeed Allāh has informed us in His Book;

“And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allāh, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him), and perform al-Ṣalāt (Iqāmat-al-Ṣalāt) and give Zakāt: and that is the right religion.” [Q 98: 5]

Likewise the Prophet ﷺ initially called the people to the correct belief and methodology.

Likewise Allāh ﷻ says:

۞ فَإِنْ آمَنُوا بِمِثْلِ مَا آمَنتُم بِهِ فَقَدِ اهْتَدَوا ۖ ۞

“So if they believe in the like of that which you believe, then they are rightly guided” [Q 2: 137]

Meaning the the path of the Companions, for indeed the Companions were the most sincere of people. Our Lord had chosen them to accompany the Prophet (may the peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him), so it is upon you to take their way and example (in understanding) the path of the Messenger.

So if someone recommends an act (of worship) it is upon you to ask him “What is the legislation of this act?” (has this action been legislated in the Qurʾān or Sunnah) or “is this action from the actions of the Companions?” Or “Is this speech from the speech of the Companions?”

For if we see that the Companions approved of such matter and practised it, then likewise we approve of it, otherwise we abandon it. This is how we deal with the affairs of the Religion.

As for the affairs related to the dunyá (worldly affairs) then we should take those which do not cross the boundaries of the religion. For example, a good business is a good thing, but it should not involve interest or taking the wealth of the people by falsehood, cheating or deceiving. As for working for a company which does not involve disobedience (to Allāh ﷻ) in that case go forth (work) and put your trust in Allāh.

With regards to the religious matters we follow the Book and the Sunnah upon the understanding of the Salaf of this nation. So I advise you and myself whether you be young or old, male or female, to fear Allāh ﷻ and to have good companions. Beware of accompanying evil or disbelieving people except out of necessity and be cautious of disclosing your secrets to them or allowing them to enter upon your wife and children.

Place boundaries (limits) on your relationship with these people and limit it for specific needs only. As for the neighbour, then give him his rights whether he is Muslim or not, show him beautiful actions whether he be Muslim or not. Does this mean that you treat the non-Muslim better than the Muslim? No, you should treat the Muslim better because Allāh ﷻ has made us brothers for His sake practising the religion.

A Muslim is the brother of another Muslim, is that the case for a non-Muslim? No. We treat non-Muslims good and trade with them, work for them and they can work for us as long as the Islamic boundaries are not crossed, there is no harm in doing this (working for them).

This is your religion so advise the people by it. Advise the Muslims and non-Muslims with wisdom and using the best of reminders. So I advise you and myself to fear Allāh ﷻ and live a good life and to take care of your wives and children in the societies where you live. It is full of apostasy and disobedience even though they (its people) possess (many) jobs and organisations, their lives revolve around disobedience and apostasy. So beware for yourselves, your wives and your children.

Teach them the correct religion so that Allāh ﷻ may save them from falling into the traps of the non-Muslims or become affected by their media. Do not forget that you are within them (living with non-Muslims with opposite beliefs). Do not forget this!

Treat the non-Muslims the way the Sharīʿah orders you to treat them and be better with your Muslim brother, apply good manners and more with the Muslim brother and work with him more. Corporate with your Muslim brother, fear Allāh and perform good deeds as much as you are able. Make the tawḥīd sincere (for Allāh ﷻ) with the three categories of [in His] Worship, Lordship and Names & Attributes.

Do not ask the Khawārij for advice and do not agree with the Muʿtazilah, and do not walk with the Murjiʿah, and do not follow the methodology of the Qadarīyyah. [These principles] are famously mentioned in the books of Ahl al-Sunnah and if you are not sure with regards to an issue then ask the people of knowledge where you are, and if this is not possible then ask those abroad. Call them and ask them by way of telephone, ask them about anything regarding the religion whether they are in Egypt or outside of Egypt from the Salafīyyīn. This is good InshāʾAllāh.

May Allāh ﷻ guide you to success and I ask my generous Lord, the Lord of the mighty Throne to guide us to everything that pleases Him and to make you firm in belief and to save you from every calamity and stress, for (the capability) is in Allāh’s Hands. I thank Allāh the Lord of the universe and ask Him to send the peace and blessings upon His Messenger.